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After winning consecutive best director Oscars (for A Letter to Three Wives and All About Eve), Joseph Mankiewicz turned his attention to this extremely curious social comedy. Cary Grant plays a famous, idealistic gynecologist whose mysterious past is questioned by a vindictive colleague (Hume Cronyn). Meanwhile, the doctor falls for a pregnant patient (Jeanne Crain), whose unmarried status is daring for a movie of 1951 vintage. The title is an all-too-apt description of Mankiewicz's chatty style, but it also carries sinister echoes of the McCarthy era--specifically, an attempted right-wing purge of the Director's Guild, I which Mankiewicz was the main target. This subtext lends interest beyond the movie's rather tame romance. The Grant character, named Doctor Praetorius (no relation to the Bride of Frankenstein wacko, one hopes), conducts a college orchestra and is prone to "twilight sadness"--it's an offbeat role for the actor, and one he clearly relishes. --Robert Horton
This is a remarkable movie. Adapted to the American screen from writer Curt Goetz' "Frauenartz Dr. Praetorius", the plot is simple and somewhat superficial. In the hands of director Joseph L. Mankiewicz, though, it turns into a gentle, thought provoking comedy of manners that showcases Cary Grant's genius at debonair humor, even though it might come in the middle of surrounding high drama.
The movie opening introduces us to the immediate plot line, with Hume Cronyn, playing a stuffy professor of medicine obviously envious of the good Dr. Praetorius, investigating Cary Grant's background prior to arriving at the university. The romantic interest is carried by Dr. Praetorius being smitten with student Jean Crain (who, at 25, was initially considered to be too old to play the co-ed role) and her out-of-wedlock predicament.
If one is asked what the movie is about, it is a queston that is difficult to answer. The plot is fluff, but the themes of medical ethics, humane treatment of patients, selflessness and witch hunt prosecution of the innocent are universal and apropos of modern life. At one point, Dr. Praetorius speaks about the unthinking distillation of medicine to the point of creating a "mechanical doctor." Needless to say, love conquers all and the righteous prevail. All this, set to the rousing strains of Brahms' "Academic Festival Overture."
The supporting cast is wonderful, from Walter Slezak as the loyal friend to Margaret Hamilton in a delightful scene, to Finlay Currie, as Mr. Shunderson, practically stealing every scene he is in. Sidney Blackmer, Will Wright and Basil Ruysdael also play pivotal roles.
Much has been written about Cary Grant, more than can be cited in this small review. This movie, released in 1942, was at the beginning of an incredible run of fine movies Grant made (his first credited film was released in 1932) from 1937's "The Awful Truth" to "Walk, Don't Run" in 1966. Writers have commented on his good looks, his sartorial elegance, his panache, all the way to his dimpled chin. But, in my opinion, if one wants to understand what a complete actor he was, watch his hands. They are never out of character; they are always doing exactly what his character needs. They are as elegant, whether in drama or comedy, as Cary's character needs them to be.
As for the DVD version, there is nothing notable extra on the disk, but it is a good, clean copy. I saw only one awkward cut during a scene on the farm porch, otherwise it is intact. I last owned this movie in Beta format and have not seen it in some time, since it is no longer played on television. It was a pleasure to renew my acquaintance with a movie that left me feeling good about movie making again.
Love this movie!
I saw this movie on TV when I was a kid and loved it - as I grew up I would see on TV periodically and still loved it - Now as an adult I still tune in when it's on TV - got it on video and see it whenever I want to - It is Cary Grant at his most handsome - A very sweet love story and covers the range of love/friendship on many levels - Really cool movie -
Great rainy day movie!
Don't miss this one. If only all doctors had Cary Grant's bedside manner as he did as a doctor in this movie. I have discovered that when movies, books, and music get mixed reviews they are worth investigating. Often they strike close to home somehow and the reviewer may be striking back or prefers something less benign. One can't go wrong watching this movie. Every character is developed and, yes, one can learn a lesson or two (as with any movie, book, and even in music).
This laugh-a-minute farce takes place in Occupied Germany, in the years following World War II. French officer Henri Rochard (Cary Grant) gets assigned to pair up with Lt. Catherine Gates (Ann Sheridan) to track down black marketers; they're already well acquainted and can't stand each other's presence. Eventually their antagonism turns to love, however, and they marry. Problem number two: navigating through U.S. Army red tape, which necessitates that Rochard be classified as a war bride and cross-dress to gain entry into the States. Grant makes an even less convincing woman than he does a Frenchman. The alternate title of this movie was You Can't Sleep Here, a phrase Grant hears over and over as he sleeps in all manner of horribly awkward and uncomfortable circumstances. Sheridan... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Cary Grant - Ann Sheridan Director(s): Howard Hawks DVD Release Date: Released the 06 January 2004 Usually ships in 24 hours
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A classic screwball comedy with a supernatural twist, Topper stars the incomparable Cary Grant and sparkling Constance Bennett as George and Marion Kirby, a fun-loving couple who cap an evening of jazz and champagne by running their car into a tree. They return as ghosts with a mandate to liven up the straight-laced hen-pecked life of bank president Cosmo Topper (Roland Young), who's hungry for just such a shake-up. Before long he's boozing, dancing, and getting into fights, all of which gives him a rakish reputation--much to the consternation of his wife (Billie Burke, best known as Glinda the Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz). The sequel replaces Grant and Bennett with Joan Blondell, who can't quite compare, but she's charming in her own way. Topper Returns... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Constance Bennett - Cary Grant - Roland Young Director(s): Norman Z. McLeod DVD Release Date: Released the 17 June 2003 Usually ships in 24 hours
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Cary Grant plays an absent-minded scientist working on a youth serum with little success. One afternoon, one of his test monkeys gets loose and works up a formula of its own, which then gets dropped into their water cooler. Shortly, Grant is tooling around in a sports car with his boss's voluptuous secretary (Marilyn Monroe). When his wife (Ginger Rogers) investigates, she too gets a dose and drags Grant off for a second honeymoon of all-night dancing. Meanwhile, Grant's elderly boss (Charles Coburn) is eager to get his hands on the formula--only Grant's formula isn't having the proper effect. Monkey Business is probably most familiar to Marilyn Monroe cultists, but it's Grant and Rogers who have the central roles and make the most of them. Rogers's adolescent emotional meltdown... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Cary Grant - Ginger Rogers - Marilyn Monroe Director(s): Howard Hawks DVD Release Date: Released the 14 May 2002 Usually ships in 24 hours
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One of the top five screwball comedies of the '30s, this helped to cement a genre that waxed golden until the end of WWII. Director Leo McCarey won an Oscar for Best Director for this 1937 romantic comedy--one of the most successful films of his career. Irene Dunne and Cary Grant are a squabbling couple who separate because of supposed infidelities on both sides. They part but cannot really keep away from each other. Grant finds himself hooked up with a socialite, Dunne becomes engaged to a millionaire hick played by the hapless Ralph Bellamy (as if he ever stood a chance as the "other" man!). When not dating others or baiting one another in a verbal war, Grant and Dunne wage a custody battle over their pathetic pooch. Gags, double entendre, witty remarks, snide comments, and fast-paced... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Irene Dunne - Cary Grant Director(s): Leo McCarey DVD Release Date: Released the 11 March 2003 Usually ships in 24 hours
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Cary Grant--the man who defines "movie star"--plays Andy Crewson, a Navy war hero at the tail end of World War II who cons his way into a four-day leave in San Francisco. While a slick PR guy tries to turn Grant's hero status into a well-paying job, Crewson only has eyes for Gwinnith (Suzy Parker, one of the first supermodels)--who just happens to be the fiancée of a shipbuilding tycoon. Grant is always watchable, but the rest of the movie suffers from an identity crisis; while an aspiring Congressman (Ray Walston, The Apartment) cheerfully admits joined the Navy to further his political career, a buxom young woman (Jayne Mansfield, trying very hard to be Marilyn Monroe) offers herself to everyone in uniform because she sincerely feels it's her patriotic duty.... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Cary Grant - Jayne Mansfield Director(s): Stanley Donen DVD Release Date: Released the 06 January 2004 Usually ships within 24 hours
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